Edmonton

In 2017, on the day following the US inauguration, millions of citizens around the world rallied as a reminder for all of us that the rights, freedoms, and sense of safety we cherish are not to be taken for granted. Here in Edmonton, over 4,000 people gathered to say loudly and clearly that we will not tolerate discrimination, and that we will stand in support of all those who have been (and continue to be) the targets of hatred and closed minds.

We continued to note, with growing concern, what appears to be a trend towards polarized public discourse in our beloved Alberta. In January of 2018, we addressed those issues again, along with over 1,000 people who came to show their solidarity in the spirit of diversity, equality, and inclusivity.

However, we still have work to do, and so, we March On.

WE CAN’T STOP – WE WON’T STOP – WE WILL NOT GO BACK

On January 19, 2019, the March On! Edmonton Collective will stand in solidarity with cities across Canada and North America. By marching and rallying in solidarity on January 19, 2019, we are saying that we intend to remain vigilant here in our country to ensure that the hard-fought gains that have been achieved are not reversed or diluted. We also say no to xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and hate of all kinds and those who perpetrate these unacceptable and offensive attitudes.

As always, our program features an intersectional and diverse program of speakers, which includes:

Bean Gill, disability advocate and winner of the title Miss Wheelchair Canada 2018.

Tracy Folorunsho-Barry, advocate for immigrant women and founder of the Gradual Rising of Women (GROW).

Salima Versi, Muslim feminist, PhD candidate, and activist.

Chevi Rabbitt, LGBTQ2S+ activist and founder of From Hate to Hope.

Peggy Morton, from the Edmonton Coalition Against War & Racism and Women for Rights & Empowerment.

We also welcome back The Raging Grannies with their songs of political satire, and Chubby Cree, a woman-led drumming and singing group. Elder Elsie Paul from the Kohkum Kisewatisiwin Society will again bring an opening blessing as we recognize we are on Treaty Six Territory.